. >>> $125 dinners may earn you a reputation among the top 1% but daniel boulud, the french chef whonts around the world balances his love of food with a unique commitment to his neighborhood. i got a taste of it all compliments of the chef. >> here we're preparing a dish dib of abalone. i wanted to make sure that everyone who loved cooking and had the passion remembered me for what i've done. >> it's just a love of the food? >> yes, very much. that's been a long love affair. >> ban yedaniel boulud is home daniel's and six additional eateries in a growing empire. >> i learned cooking in lyon, born on a farm. >> was this always your plan, your vision for yourself? >> no. >> how did this happen? >> my plan was to go back home 25 years ago. >> what changed that? >> i fell into -- i fell in love with new york very early. and i said, well, if i stay here i better do well. >> in an office he calls the sky box he oversees his personal brand, a french-inspired food, cookbooks and catering business. his company runs restaurants in six cities around the globe. menus range from the $125 fixed p